chì sè huǒ yàn yǔ bái sè jiàn máng bù duàn pèng zhuàng ， fā chū zhèn zhèn jù liè de bào zhà shēng 。
赤色火焰与白色剑芒不断碰撞，发出阵阵剧烈的爆炸声。
Red flames clashed with white sword light, producing a series of intense explosions.
xià fāng de xuán jīng chéng bèi qí bō jí ， yě shì xiàn rù le yī piàn huǒ hǎi zhī zhōng 。
下方的玄京城被其波及，也是陷入了一片火海之中。
Below, Xuanjing City was engulfed in a sea of fire by the shockwave from their battle.
èr rén de dǎ dòu bìng méi yǒu chí xù duō jiǔ ， yuán běn kòu hóng de xiū wèi jiù bù rú dào xuán zi ， jiā shàng zhī qián hái bèi xiān fán zhàng xiāo hào le yuán qì ， suǒ yǐ hěn kuài jiù luò rù le xià fēng 。
二人的打斗并没有持续多久，原本寇洪的修为就不如道玄子，加上之前还被仙凡瘴消耗了元气，所以很快就落入了下风。
The fight didn't last long. Cao Hong's cultivation was already inferior to Dao Xuanzi, and he had been weakened by the Immortal-Demon Mist earlier. Thus, he quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.
ér dào xuán zi yě méi yǒu shǒu xià liú qíng ， jiàn shì yě yù fā líng lì qǐ lái 。
而道玄子也没有手下留情，剑势也愈发凌厉起来。
Dao Xuanzi showed no mercy, his sword techniques becoming even more ruthless.
jiù zài zhè shí ， nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn yòu zài dù xiǎng qǐ 。
就在这时，那苍老的声音又再度响起。
Just then, that old voice resounded again.
“ dào xuán zi cǐ rén fǎn fù bù dìng 、 yá zì bì bào ， rú ràng tā huò shèng ， wǒ děng duàn wú huó lù 。 ér láng men tīng lìng ， bāng zhù kòu hóng xiān shī duì fù dào xuán zi ！”
“道玄子此人反复不定、睚眦必报，如让他获胜，我等断无活路。儿郎们听令，帮助寇洪仙师对付道玄子！”
"Dao Xuanzi is fickle and vengeful. If he wins, we'll have no chance of survival. Boys, listen up! Help Cao Hong Master defeat Dao Xuanzi!"
kòu hóng wén yán ， dùn shí dà xǐ 。
寇洪闻言，顿时大喜。
Cao Hong heard this and was overjoyed. He dodged away from Dao Xuanzi, watching the swarm of bullets that engulfed him, and proclaimed triumphantly: "As they say, those who do evil will surely meet their downfall. I never thought that the self-proclaimed noble Dao Xuanzi would betray his word and suffer a backlash!"
tā yí gè shǎn shēn yuǎn lí le dào xuán zi ， kàn zhe bèi fēng yōng ér zhì de zǐ dàn yān mò de dào xuán zi ， dé yì gāo hǎn ：“ zhèng suǒ wèi duō xíng bù yì bì zì bì ， méi xiǎng dào yí xiàng zì xǔ qīng gāo de dào xuán zi yě huì bèi xìn qì yì ， cǎn zāo fǎn shì ！”
他一个闪身远离了道玄子，看着被蜂拥而至的子弹淹没的道玄子，得意高喊：“正所谓多行不义必自毙，没想到一向自诩清高的道玄子也会背信弃义，惨遭反噬！”
Dao Xuanzi was already annoyed by this covert person's tactics. Hearing Cao Hong's words, he was even more infuriated to the point of wanting to vomit blood.
dào xuán zi yuán běn jiù bèi zhè àn zhōng zhī rén de shǒu duàn qì de xīn fán yì luàn ， cǐ shí tīng dào kòu hóng de huà ， gèng shì qì de yù tù xiě 。
道玄子原本就被这暗中之人的手段气的心烦意乱，此时听到寇洪的话，更是气的欲吐血。
"You fool!" He couldn't take it anymore and shouted at Cao Hong.
“ nǐ zhè chǔn huò ！” tā zài yě rěn shòu bú zhù ， duì zhe kòu hóng dà mà dào 。
“你这蠢货！”他再也忍受不住，对着寇洪大骂道。
"Good! You finally said what you were thinking!" Cao Hong retorted without flinching: "You think yourself clever. Why did your subordinates betray you, despite all the effort you put into recruiting them? You've made a mistake for being too smart!"
“ hǎo a ！ nǐ zhōng yú bǎ xīn lǐ huà shuō chū lái le ！” kòu hóng háo bù shì ruò ， fǎn jī dào ，“ nǐ zì xǔ cōng míng ， wèi hé rú jīn zhòng pàn qīn lí ， xīn kǔ zhāo mù de fán rén dōu bèi pàn le nǐ ？ nǐ zhè jiào cōng míng fǎn bèi cōng míng wù ！”
“好啊！你终于把心里话说出来了！”寇洪毫不示弱，反击道，“你自诩聪明，为何如今众叛亲离，辛苦招募的凡人都背叛了你？你这叫聪明反被聪明误！”
Dao Xuanzi was speechless upon hearing this. He ignored the fool and merely waved his sword, cutting down any ordinary soldiers who dared to attack him.
dào xuán zi wén yán ， xīn zhōng yī zhèn wú yǔ 。 suǒ xìng yě bù lǐ huì zhè hāng huò ， zhǐ shì huī wǔ chū dào dào jiàn guāng ， shōu gē nà xiē dǎn gǎn xí jī tā de fán rén shì bīng de xìng mìng 。
道玄子闻言，心中一阵无语。索性也不理会这夯货，只是挥舞出道道剑光，收割那些胆敢袭击他的凡人士兵的性命。
Unfortunately, these commoners were like locusts—no matter how many he killed, more would quickly appear from nowhere to take their place. Dao Xuanzi had to use energy-consuming long-range techniques due to the Immortal-Demon Mist, and the situation on the battlefield seemed to have reached a bizarre stalemate.
nài hé zhè xiē fán rén rú tóng huáng chóng yì bān ， shā zhī bù jìn 。 shā le yī pī zhī hòu ， hěn kuài bù zhī yòu cóng nǎ lǐ mào chū yī pī xùn sù dǐng shàng 。
奈何这些凡人如同蝗虫一般，杀之不尽。杀了一批之后，很快不知又从哪里冒出一批迅速顶上。
Then, that old voice echoed again, persistent as ever.
ér dào xuán zi yòu yào gù jì xiān fán zhàng ， zhǐ néng shǐ yòng xiāo hào pǒ dà de yuǎn chéng shǒu duàn jìn xíng jī shā 。 yī shí jiān ， chǎng shàng de jú miàn jū rán xiàn rù le yí gè guǐ yì de jiāng jú zhī zhōng 。
而道玄子又要顾忌仙凡瘴，只能使用消耗颇大的远程手段进行击杀。一时间，场上的局面居然陷入了一个诡异的僵局之中。
"Cao Hong Master, our troops are nearly wiped out. Once Dao Xuanzi kills us all, will you be spared? It's now or never!" The tone was urgent, tinged with a hint of desperation.
jiù zài zhè shí ， nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn yīn hún bù sàn bān dì zài cì xiǎng qǐ 。
就在这时，那苍老的声音阴魂不散般地再次响起。
Cao Hong was reminded by this and suddenly understood. He looked at Dao Xuanzi with solemnity: "Exactly so. Dao Xuanzi, we've known each other for a hundred years. Although our falling out over the cultivation technique is regrettable, in pursuit of immortality, we both rely on our own abilities. I give you one last chance. If you abandon your cultivation and retreat, I won't seek trouble with you. Otherwise, only one of us will survive."
“ kòu hóng xiān shī ， wǒ zú ér láng yǐ jīng kuài yào sǐ shāng dài jìn 。 děng dào xuán zi jiāng wǒ děng jìn shù zhū shā zhī hòu ， nǐ shì fǒu néng gòu xìng miǎn ？ cǐ shí bù chū shǒu ， gèng dài hé shí a ！” shēng yīn yǒu xiē jí qiè ， gèng dài zhe xiē xǔ kū yīn 。
“寇洪仙师，我族儿郎已经快要死伤殆尽。等道玄子将我等尽数诛杀之后，你是否能够幸免？此时不出手，更待何时啊！”声音有些急切，更带着些许哭音。
Dao Xuanzi sighed but said nothing, raising his sword to face Cao Hong.
kòu hóng bèi zhè shēng yīn tí xǐng ， dùn shí xǐng wù guò lái 。
寇洪被这声音提醒，顿时醒悟过来。
"Very well, after a long escape, I've gained another Dao technique. Let me send you on your way!" Cao Hong's expression was serious as he drew a talisman in the air: "Dao technique: Prison Dragon!"
tā kàn zhe dào xuán zi ， miàn sè yī sù ：“ zhèng shì cǐ lǐ 。 dào xuán zi ， nǐ wǒ èr rén xiāng jiāo bǎi nián ， suī yīn wèi jié dān gōng fǎ fǎn mù ， dàn wèi qiú cháng shēng ， gè píng běn shì ， dào yě wú kě hòu fēi 。 wǒ zài gěi nǐ zuì hòu yí gè jī huì ， nǐ ruò fàng qì jié dān gōng fǎ ， zì jǐ tuì qù ， wǒ yě bú huì qù zhǎo nǐ má fán 。 rú ruò bù rán ， kǒng pà nǐ wǒ zhī jiān zhǐ yǒu yí gè rén néng huó xià lái le 。”
他看着道玄子，面色一肃：“正是此理。道玄子，你我二人相交百年，虽因为结丹功法反目，但为求长生，各凭本事，倒也无可厚非。我再给你最后一个机会，你若放弃结丹功法，自己退去，我也不会去找你麻烦。如若不然，恐怕你我之间只有一个人能活下来了。”
Flame chains appeared in all directions, forming an array that trapped Dao Xuanzi at its center.
dào xuán zi qīng tàn yī shēng ， què shì yī yán bù fā ， zhǐ shì jǔ jiàn yíng xiàng le kòu hóng 。
道玄子轻叹一声，却是一言不发，只是举剑迎向了寇洪。
"Break it!" Dao Xuanzi felt the sudden pressure and his face turned grave. He took a deep breath, and behind him, a rusted sword's silhouette materialized.
“ nà hǎo ， zuì jìn yī lù táo wáng ， wǒ què shì yòu lǐng wù le yī shì dào fǎ ， zhèng hǎo sòng nǐ shàng lù ！” kòu hóng yī liǎn yán sù 。
“那好，最近一路逃亡，我却是又领悟了一式道法，正好送你上路！”寇洪一脸严肃。
With this enhancement, the sword light seemed to gain some power, striking the flame prison. The flames that had been burning fiercely suddenly stopped, then rapidly dimmed.
suí hòu yǐ shǒu huà fú ：“ dào fǎ ： qiú lóng ！”
随后以手画符：“道法：囚龙！”
Cao Hong anticipated this. He laughed loudly: "Dao Xuanzi, we've known each other for a hundred years, fighting side by side countless times. Everyone says your cultivation is far superior to mine, and it's true. But in battle, cultivation doesn't matter as much as the fight itself. If it comes down to life or death, who wins remains uncertain!"
dào xuán zi shàng xià sì fāng kōng jiān ， dùn shí chū xiàn le dào dào huǒ yàn jiā suǒ ， yǐn yǐn jié chéng zhèn shì ， xíng chéng le yí gè jù dà de láo lóng ， jiāng qí kùn zài zhōng yāng 。
道玄子上下四方空间，顿时出现了道道火焰枷锁，隐隐结成阵势，形成了一个巨大的牢笼，将其困在中央。
"Since this has come to this, you needn't hold back. Let me see if your Dao Xuanzi sword is truly superior to my Dao technique!"
“ gěi wǒ pò ！” dào xuán zi gǎn dào zhòu rán jiā zài shēn shàng de jù dà yā lì ， shén sè níng zhòng 。 tā shēn xī yì kǒu qì ， shēn hòu yǐn yǐn fú xiàn chū yī dào xiù jì bān bān de tiě jiàn de xū yǐng 。
“给我破！”道玄子感到骤然加在身上的巨大压力，神色凝重。他深吸一口气，身后隐隐浮现出一道锈迹斑斑的铁剑的虚影。
Cao Hong's eyes blazed with battle intent: "Dao technique: Swallow Dragon!"
xū yǐng jiā chí zhī xià ， tā fā chū de jiàn guāng sì hū dé dào le mǒu zhǒng jiā chí ， hōng jī zài huǒ yàn qiú lóng shàng zhī hòu ， nà yuán běn xióng xióng rán shāo de huǒ yàn chà nà jiān xiàn rù jìng zhǐ ， suí hòu jí sù àn dàn xià qù 。
虚影加持之下，他发出的剑光似乎得到了某种加持，轰击在火焰囚笼上之后，那原本熊熊燃烧的火焰刹那间陷入静止，随后急速暗淡下去。
The previously dimming flames suddenly extinguished completely, while Dao Xuanzi's face changed dramatically as the flame prison vanished.
kòu hóng sì hū duì cǐ zǎo yǒu yù liào ， tā dà xiào yī shēng ：“ dào xuán zi ， nǐ wǒ xiāng jiāo bǎi nián ， wú shù cì bìng jiān shā dí 。 wài rén dōu shuō wǒ de xiū wèi yuǎn bù rú nǐ ， shì shí yě què shí rú cǐ 。 bù guò ， xiū wèi guī xiū wèi ， sī shā guī sī shā 。 ruò shì zhēn de shēng sǐ xiāng bó ， shuí shèng shuí fù ， hái yóu wèi kě zhī ！”
寇洪似乎对此早有预料，他大笑一声：“道玄子，你我相交百年，无数次并肩杀敌。外人都说我的修为远不如你，事实也确实如此。不过，修为归修为，厮杀归厮杀。若是真的生死相搏，谁胜谁负，还犹未可知！”
In fact, beneath those forming the prison were branches of brownish tea color. Like venomous snakes, they lay in wait, ready to strike their prey. With the sudden disappearance of the flames, these branches shot towards Dao Xuanzi at lightning speed, rapidly growing and twisting into a monstrous form that seemed intent on devouring him!
“ shì yǐ zhì cǐ ， nǐ yě bù bì zài liú yǒu yú shǒu 。 jiù ràng wǒ kàn kàn ， shì nǐ de dào xuán yī jiàn lì hài ， hái shì wǒ de dào fǎ gèng shèng yī chóu ！”
“事已至此，你也不必再留有余手。就让我看看，是你的道玄一剑厉害，还是我的道法更胜一筹！”
"Dao Xuanzi!" In this critical moment, despite his shock, Dao Xuanzi remained calm.
kòu hóng yǎn zhōng ， bào fā chū wú qióng zhàn yì ：“ dào fǎ ： tūn lóng ！”
寇洪眼中，爆发出无穷战意：“道法：吞龙！”
Above, the rusted sword's shadow fully appeared. The Qionglong Branch seemed to face its natural enemy, pausing for an instant before becoming even more frenzied as it surged towards Dao Xuanzi.
nà yuán běn àn dàn xià qù de huǒ yàn hū de chè dǐ xī miè ， ér dào xuán zi de liǎn sè ， què fǎn ér suí zháo huǒ yàn qiú lóng de xiāo shī ér dà biàn 。
那原本黯淡下去的火焰忽的彻底熄灭，而道玄子的脸色，却反而随着火焰囚笼的消失而大变。
Dao Xuanzi swung his sword, and the virtual image behind him mirrored this action.
yuán lái ， nà zǔ chéng qiú lóng de huǒ yàn zhī xià ， jìng rán yǐn cáng zhe yī gēn gēn chá sè de shù zhī 。 tā men jiù rú tóng tiáo tiáo dú shé bān ， àn zhōng zhé fú ， jìng dài liè shā de shí jī 。 rú jīn huǒ yàn zhòu xī ， tā men biàn yǐ léi tíng zhī shì cháo zhe dào xuán zi jī shè ér qù 。 tú zhōng ， tā men hái bù duàn fēng kuáng dì màn yán 、 shēng zhǎng ， zhǐ chà nà jiān jiù xíng chéng le yī tuán fēng kuáng niǔ qū de guài wù ， jiù yào jiāng dào xuán zi tūn shì ！
原来，那组成囚笼的火焰之下，竟然隐藏着一根根茶色的树枝。它们就如同条条毒蛇般，暗中蛰伏，静待猎杀的时机。如今火焰骤熄，它们便以雷霆之势朝着道玄子激射而去。途中，它们还不断疯狂地蔓延、生长，只刹那间就形成了一团疯狂扭曲的怪物，就要将道玄子吞噬！
The space in front froze like water frozen by cold air.
“ dào xuán ！” shēng sǐ guān tóu ， dào xuán zi suī jīng bù luàn 。
“道玄！”生死关头，道玄子虽惊不乱。
The writhing Qionglong Branch clashed with Dao Xuanzi's giant sword. After a brief struggle, it began to retreat.
tiān kōng zhōng ， xiù jiàn jù yǐng chè dǐ xiǎn xiàn 。
天空中，锈剑巨影彻底显现。
Branches of the Qionglong Branch shattered into crystalline fragments. The fierce-looking Qionglong Branch was no match for Dao Xuanzi's sword!
qiú lóng zhī hǎo sì yù dào le tiān dí yì bān ， xià yì shí de jìng zhǐ le piàn kè 。 dàn suí hòu ， fǎng fú bèi jī qǐ le xiōng xìng yì bān ， yù fā fēng kuáng de cháo zhe dào xuán zi xí juǎn ér qù 。
虬龙枝好似遇到了天敌一般，下意识的静止了片刻。但随后，仿佛被激起了凶性一般，愈发疯狂的朝着道玄子席卷而去。
His carefully prepared Dao technique failed miserably as the virtual sword shadow approached Cao Hong, who did not dodge or show any fear.
dào xuán zi huī jiàn ， bèi hòu xū yǐng yě yǎn huà chū tóng bù dòng zuò 。
道玄子挥剑，背后虚影也演化出同步动作。
"Dao technique: Transform Dragon!"
qián fāng kōng jiān jiù xiàng bèi hán qì qīng xí de shuǐ miàn bān ， céng céng níng gù bù dòng 。
前方空间就像被寒气倾袭的水面般，层层凝固不动。
Cao Hong's shout brought a small portion of the swirling Qionglong Branch fragments to life. They quickly coalesced into a new Qionglong Branch.
yuán běn niǔ dòng zhe de qiú lóng zhī yǔ dào xuán jù jiàn pèng zhuàng zài yì qǐ ， zhǐ xiāng chí le piàn kè ， jiù jié jié bài tuì 。
原本扭动着的虬龙枝与道玄巨剑碰撞在一起，只相持了片刻，就节节败退。
This branch was even darker than before and had two protrusions at its tip, resembling dragon horns!
qiú lóng zhī fēn fēn huà zuò jīng yíng de suì piàn zhà liè kāi lái ， kàn shì xiōng hěn de qiú lóng zhī ， jìng rán bú shì dào xuán jiàn de yī hé zhī dí ！
虬龙枝纷纷化作晶莹的碎片炸裂开来，看似凶狠的虬龙枝，竟然不是道玄剑的一合之敌！
The Qionglong Branch struck Dao Xuanzi like a spear, accompanied by a faint roar of the dragon!
jīng xīn zhǔn bèi de dào fǎ bù kān yī jī ， jù jiàn xū yǐng yǎn kàn jiù yào fēi zhì yǎn qián ， kòu hóng què bù shǎn bù bì ， yǎn zhōng háo wú jù sè 。
精心准备的道法不堪一击，巨剑虚影眼看就要飞至眼前，寇洪却不闪不避，眼中毫无惧色。
Dao Xuanzi's eyes flashed with admiration as his giant sword remained unyielding.
“ dào fǎ ： huà lóng ！”
“道法：化龙！”
In life-or-death combat, it was about who was more decisive and ruthless!
kòu hóng nù hè zhī xià ， yuán běn nà màn tiān piāo dàng de qiú lóng zhī suì piàn zhōng ， qí zhōng yǒu yī xiǎo bù fèn chà nà jiān huó le guò lái 。
寇洪怒喝之下，原本那漫天飘荡的虬龙枝碎片中，其中有一小部分刹那间活了过来。
Victory meant survival; defeat meant death. That was all there was to it!
tā men fēi sù jù hé zài yì qǐ ， xíng chéng le yī gēn quán xīn de qiú lóng zhī 。
它们飞速聚合在一起，形成了一根全新的虬龙枝。
Just when the outcome hung in the balance, that persistent old voice echoed again above Xuanjing City.
tā de yán sè bǐ zhī qián de niǔ qū jù wù hái yào shēn suì ， zuì qián duān hái zhāng yǒu liǎng gè tū qǐ ， rú tóng lóng de jī jiǎo yì bān ！
它的颜色比之前的扭曲巨物还要深邃，最前端还张有两个凸起，如同龙的犄角一般！
"Cao Hong Master, we'll help you!"
qiú lóng zhī rú tóng yī bǐng lì jiàn ， bù guǎn bù gù ， cì xiàng dào xuán zi ， gèng shì yǐn yǐn bàn suí zhe lóng yín zhī shēng ！
虬龙枝如同一柄利剑，不管不顾，刺向道玄子，更是隐隐伴随着龙吟之声！
Before he could finish speaking, a series of long trails of flame appeared from all directions, screaming as they struck Dao Xuanzi, causing a shower of blood to rain down!
dào xuán zi yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī zàn shǎng zhī sè ， jù jiàn dào xuán què yě sī háo méi yǒu shōu huí zhī shì 。
道玄子眼中闪过一丝赞赏之色，巨剑道玄却也丝毫没有收回之势。
"Ah!" Caught off guard, Dao Xuanzi let out a cry. His aura diminished.
shēng sǐ bó shā ， bǐ de jiù shì shuí gèng guǒ duàn 、 shuí gèng hěn ！
生死搏杀，比的就是谁更果断、谁更狠！
The virtual image of Dao Xuanzi also dimmed, and the Qionglong Branch took this opportunity to surge through the frozen space, rooting itself in Dao Xuanzi's body!
shèng zhě huó ， bài zhě sǐ ， wéi cǐ ér yǐ ！
胜者活，败者死，唯此而已！
Meanwhile, Dao Xuanzi's sword shadow, weakened like an overdrawn bowstring, could only knock Cao Hong back with a few mouthfuls of blood before dissipating.
jiù zài zhè qiān jūn yī fà jì ， nà bù duàn huí xuán zài xuán jīng chéng shàng kōng de cāng lǎo shēng yīn zài dù xiǎng qǐ 。
就在这千钧一发际，那不断回旋在玄京城上空的苍老声音再度响起。
"Ahem...ahem..." Dao Xuanzi grimaced. He wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
“ kòu hóng xiān shī ， wǒ děng zhù nǐ yī bì zhī lì ！”
“寇洪仙师，我等助你一臂之力！”
In moments, he was reduced to a pile of white bones by the Qionglong Branch's devouring power!
Red flames clashed with white sword light, producing a series of intense explosions.
Below, Xuanjing City was engulfed in a sea of fire by the shockwave from their battle.
The fight didn't last long. Cao Hong's cultivation was already inferior to Dao Xuanzi, and he had been weakened by the Immortal-Demon Mist earlier. Thus, he quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.
Dao Xuanzi showed no mercy, his sword techniques becoming even more ruthless.
Just then, that old voice resounded again.
"Dao Xuanzi is fickle and vengeful. If he wins, we'll have no chance of survival. Boys, listen up! Help Cao Hong Master defeat Dao Xuanzi!"
Cao Hong heard this and was overjoyed. He dodged away from Dao Xuanzi, watching the swarm of bullets that engulfed him, and proclaimed triumphantly: "As they say, those who do evil will surely meet their downfall. I never thought that the self-proclaimed noble Dao Xuanzi would betray his word and suffer a backlash!"
Dao Xuanzi was already annoyed by this covert person's tactics. Hearing Cao Hong's words, he was even more infuriated to the point of wanting to vomit blood.
"You fool!" He couldn't take it anymore and shouted at Cao Hong.
"Good! You finally said what you were thinking!" Cao Hong retorted without flinching: "You think yourself clever. Why did your subordinates betray you, despite all the effort you put into recruiting them? You've made a mistake for being too smart!"
Dao Xuanzi was speechless upon hearing this. He ignored the fool and merely waved his sword, cutting down any ordinary soldiers who dared to attack him.
Unfortunately, these commoners were like locusts—no matter how many he killed, more would quickly appear from nowhere to take their place. Dao Xuanzi had to use energy-consuming long-range techniques due to the Immortal-Demon Mist, and the situation on the battlefield seemed to have reached a bizarre stalemate.
Then, that old voice echoed again, persistent as ever.
"Cao Hong Master, our troops are nearly wiped out. Once Dao Xuanzi kills us all, will you be spared? It's now or never!" The tone was urgent, tinged with a hint of desperation.
Cao Hong was reminded by this and suddenly understood. He looked at Dao Xuanzi with solemnity: "Exactly so. Dao Xuanzi, we've known each other for a hundred years. Although our falling out over the cultivation technique is regrettable, in pursuit of immortality, we both rely on our own abilities. I give you one last chance. If you abandon your cultivation and retreat, I won't seek trouble with you. Otherwise, only one of us will survive."
Dao Xuanzi sighed but said nothing, raising his sword to face Cao Hong.
"Very well, after a long escape, I've gained another Dao technique. Let me send you on your way!" Cao Hong's expression was serious as he drew a talisman in the air: "Dao technique: Prison Dragon!"
Flame chains appeared in all directions, forming an array that trapped Dao Xuanzi at its center.
"Break it!" Dao Xuanzi felt the sudden pressure and his face turned grave. He took a deep breath, and behind him, a rusted sword's silhouette materialized.
With this enhancement, the sword light seemed to gain some power, striking the flame prison. The flames that had been burning fiercely suddenly stopped, then rapidly dimmed.
Cao Hong anticipated this. He laughed loudly: "Dao Xuanzi, we've known each other for a hundred years, fighting side by side countless times. Everyone says your cultivation is far superior to mine, and it's true. But in battle, cultivation doesn't matter as much as the fight itself. If it comes down to life or death, who wins remains uncertain!"
"Since this has come to this, you needn't hold back. Let me see if your Dao Xuanzi sword is truly superior to my Dao technique!"
Cao Hong's eyes blazed with battle intent: "Dao technique: Swallow Dragon!"
The previously dimming flames suddenly extinguished completely, while Dao Xuanzi's face changed dramatically as the flame prison vanished.
In fact, beneath those forming the prison were branches of brownish tea color. Like venomous snakes, they lay in wait, ready to strike their prey. With the sudden disappearance of the flames, these branches shot towards Dao Xuanzi at lightning speed, rapidly growing and twisting into a monstrous form that seemed intent on devouring him!
"Dao Xuanzi!" In this critical moment, despite his shock, Dao Xuanzi remained calm.
Above, the rusted sword's shadow fully appeared. The Qionglong Branch seemed to face its natural enemy, pausing for an instant before becoming even more frenzied as it surged towards Dao Xuanzi.
Dao Xuanzi swung his sword, and the virtual image behind him mirrored this action.
The space in front froze like water frozen by cold air.
The writhing Qionglong Branch clashed with Dao Xuanzi's giant sword. After a brief struggle, it began to retreat.
Branches of the Qionglong Branch shattered into crystalline fragments. The fierce-looking Qionglong Branch was no match for Dao Xuanzi's sword!
His carefully prepared Dao technique failed miserably as the virtual sword shadow approached Cao Hong, who did not dodge or show any fear.
"Dao technique: Transform Dragon!"
Cao Hong's shout brought a small portion of the swirling Qionglong Branch fragments to life. They quickly coalesced into a new Qionglong Branch.
This branch was even darker than before and had two protrusions at its tip, resembling dragon horns!
The Qionglong Branch struck Dao Xuanzi like a spear, accompanied by a faint roar of the dragon!
Dao Xuanzi's eyes flashed with admiration as his giant sword remained unyielding.
In life-or-death combat, it was about who was more decisive and ruthless!
Victory meant survival; defeat meant death. That was all there was to it!
Just when the outcome hung in the balance, that persistent old voice echoed again above Xuanjing City.
"Cao Hong Master, we'll help you!"
Before he could finish speaking, a series of long trails of flame appeared from all directions, screaming as they struck Dao Xuanzi, causing a shower of blood to rain down!
"Ah!" Caught off guard, Dao Xuanzi let out a cry. His aura diminished.
The virtual image of Dao Xuanzi also dimmed, and the Qionglong Branch took this opportunity to surge through the frozen space, rooting itself in Dao Xuanzi's body!
Meanwhile, Dao Xuanzi's sword shadow, weakened like an overdrawn bowstring, could only knock Cao Hong back with a few mouthfuls of blood before dissipating.
"Ahem...ahem..." Dao Xuanzi grimaced. He wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
In moments, he was reduced to a pile of white bones by the Qionglong Branch's devouring power!